Meatball & Garlic Bread Traybake Recipe
Introduction
This Meatball & Garlic Bread Traybake is a comforting, all-in-one meal perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy turkey meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese and crispy garlic bread for a delicious, easy-to-share dish.
Ingredients
- 350g turkey thigh mince
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp sugar
- 150g ball mozzarella, torn into pieces
- 4 garlic breadsticks or garlic bread slices, torn or chopped into chunks
- 25g cheddar, grated
- Green salad or spaghetti, to serve
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine the turkey mince, dried oregano, fennel seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shape walnut-sized pieces of the mixture into meatballs.
- Step 2: Heat half of the olive oil in a large, shallow ovenproof pan over medium heat. Cook the meatballs until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, then transfer them to a plate.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6.
- Step 4: In the same pan, add the remaining oil and cook the chopped onion over medium heat until softened, about 10-12 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Step 5: Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, and sugar, then let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Step 6: Return the meatballs to the sauce, placing them evenly on top. Scatter torn mozzarella pieces, garlic bread chunks, and grated cheddar over the meatballs and sauce.
- Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden and the garlic bread is crisp.
- Step 8: Serve hot with a green salad or your choice of spaghetti for a complete meal.
Tips & Variations
- Use beef or pork mince instead of turkey for a richer flavor.
- Try adding a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- For extra gooeyness, sprinkle more mozzarella before baking.
- Leftover meatballs and sauce make great filling for hot dog buns; grill with cheese for a tasty twist.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The garlic bread is best eaten fresh but can be refreshed in the oven to regain crispness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen meatballs for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen meatballs. Just increase the simmer time in the sauce to ensure they are cooked through before baking.
What can I serve instead of garlic bread?
Crusty bread, focaccia, or cooked pasta like spaghetti work well as alternatives to garlic bread for soaking up the sauce.
Print
Meatball & Garlic Bread Traybake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A hearty and comforting meatball and garlic bread traybake featuring tender turkey meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella, crispy garlic bread, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing meal served with green salad or spaghetti.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs and Sauce
- 350g turkey thigh mince
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1½ tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 150g ball mozzarella, torn into pieces
- 4 garlic breadsticks or garlic bread slices, torn or chopped into chunks
- 25g cheddar, grated
To Serve
- Green salad or spaghetti
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine turkey thigh mince with dried oregano, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper. Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls to form the meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat half of the olive oil in a large, shallow ovenproof pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned all over, about 5-7 minutes, transferring them to a plate once browned. They won’t be fully cooked at this stage.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat remaining olive oil in the same pan. Add chopped onion and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring regularly until softened. Add crushed garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Assemble the Traybake: Nestle the browned meatballs into the tomato sauce. Scatter torn mozzarella, chunks of garlic bread, and grated cheddar evenly on top of the meatballs and sauce.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and the garlic bread is crisp and toasted.
- Serve: Serve the meatball and garlic bread traybake hot with a side of green salad or spaghetti for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra flavour, you can add fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top before serving.
- If turkey mince is not available, chicken or lean beef mince can be substituted.
- The garlic bread can be homemade or store-bought; adjust quantity to preference.
- Leftover meatballs and sauce can be used to make cheesy meatball hot dog buns by stuffing in grilled buns with additional grated cheese and grilling until melted.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: meatball traybake, turkey meatballs, garlic bread, baked meatballs, tomato sauce, cheesy meatballs, family dinner
